Saturday, May 19, 2007

Mark at Zeitzeuge has asked that the itinerary for GB:NYC04 be posted in as many places as possible. I wanna do my part for what sounds like drunk and disorderly conduct. I will be heading out for Sheep Meadow on Saturday myself. Looking forward to meeting people and embarrassing myself in public! (In the spirit of laziness, I cut and pasted the list directly from Mark's blog and I ain't taking the time to edit, so view it as a message from Mark and not the grumpy midget.)

FRIDAY 25THWhat: Bloggers, Fans and Stalkers Meet and GreetWhere: Therapy on the 2nd floor.348 West 52nd Street, New York, New York 10019. Phone: 212.397.1700Time: 9:00pm until whenever we decide to stop

The EagleMany bloggers could be found at The Eagle on the Rooftop554 West 28th Street (between 10th & 11th Ave)http://eaglenyc.com/Time: 10pm?

Theater Night:Crash from Crash and Byrne will be going to see Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind at 10:30 PM in the East Village. The tickets are $11-16 each. After the hour long show, he will be going to hit the East Village gay bar(s), probably Urge and Eastern Bloc.

Marie's CrisisI wanted to make sure I took Brian and Steven to check out New York's infamous piano bar, Marie's Crisis.

SUNDAY 27TH:Where: The Dugout for the Bear Beer Bust followed by Joe.My.God’s infamous Blarp (Blogger Bar Hop) in Chelsea.Dugout: 185 Christopher St New York, NY 10014-2815 (212) 242-9113Time: Meet at The Dugout at 5pm, end at The Eagle Beer Bust by 8pm. Bars would include the Dugout, Gym, View, Rawhide and the Eagle.

MONDAY 28TH:A BBQ on Monday (Memorial Day) starting at noon, has been added for those who would like to attend and is being hosted by Marc and Jess. Both are wonderful host and incredible cooks, not to mention great people. Anyone wanting to attend will have to email them to let them know so they have an accurate count of who's coming. If you don't have their email address, please contact me and I will get it for you.

Friday, May 18, 2007

With summer coming I am putting together my summer reading list. I am in the mood to go back and read a number of things that I have not read in a while that are crying out for a re-read, as well as a few new books.

Revisit:

American Gods by Neil Gaiman. The Good Soldier by Ford Maddox FordVanity Fair by William Makepeace ThackeryThe Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey ChaucerEmma by Jane AustenPattern Recognition by William Gibson*A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill BrysonConstantinople, City of the World's Desire 1453-1924 by Philip Mansel

New reads:

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. RowlingThen We Came to the End by Joshua FerrisThe Sons of Heaven by Kage BakerSpook Country by William Gibson

Why so many books I've read already? In part I am anticipating summertime inertia. A resting object remaining at rest. In equal part, I think they all deserve a second or in some cases third and fourth look.

"The Canterbury Tales" is great because you don't have to sit down and read if from beginning to end. It is easy to pick up and put down as you work through all of the characters individual stories. Though this time I will not be reading it in Middle English. I have enough trouble reading standard English these days, figuring out archaic spelling is too time consuming and probably seemed like more fun when I was 25. I don't feel like I have to show off now.

I remember loving "The Good Soldier" when I first read it, and I know I have reread that book at least twice over the ensuing 25 years.

"Vanity Fair" is one of my favorite books, in large part because of Becky Sharpe who is one of the most vivid fictional characters ever created.

"American Gods" is just a wonderful book. It is scary and dark and a compelling portrait of what Americans really believe in, which is the con game. For all of this countries protestations of Christianity what the average American believes in is the advantage.

"A Short History of Nearly Everything" is Bill Bryson's non scientist guide to science. I have heard that it has been criticized for not giving in depth enough explanations of the topics he covers, however, Mr. Bryson is not a scientist, he is a travel writer and commenter, and so goes out and meets scientists to explain the universe to non scientists. I found it to be a great guided tour filled with enough interesting tidbits of science that the book excited me enough to read more on some of the topics he sketches out in his quick tour of this vast dangerous, hostile universe where by all rights it should be impossible for life to exist on this odd little rock that circles a rather uninteresting and unimportant star on the ass end of the universe.

If you feel as though you need to justify reading Jane Austen I suggest you refer to Eudora Welty's excellent essay on Austen in her book of criticism "The Eye of the Story", which now that I think of it may go on the reread list.

I have loved reading William Gibson ever since I read "Neuromancer" lo these many years ago. I remember hearing "Pattern Recognition" called Gibson's bleak future shock view no longer needing the trappings of science fiction because the Orwellian future he envisioned a quarter century ago has arrived. Needless to say, I am anxious to read his latest offering.

The final installment of the Harry Potter series I just have to read. I started out with the first book when it hit the stores 10 years ago, after hearing Rowling read a section of the book on NPR, prior to its American release. Like everyone else, I have to see how this all turns out.

The other series that is going to reach its denouemont this summer will be Kage Bakers series of Company Books with the final title, "The Sons of Heaven". It is a blackly humorous look at corporate greed and political correctness gone mad. I've been following along with this for the entire series, so I am really looking forward to seeing how this all turns out.

"Constantinople" is a history of the city under the Ottoman's and is responsible for me dreaming of one day visiting Istanbul. If I remember, it is rather lush and offers some interesting insights into the differences in culture between Europe and it's eastern neighbors.

I am going to read "Then We Came to the End" on R.J. Keefe's recommendation. It sounds like a fun read and being summer, I feel like I should have some fun.

That about covers it for the moment and depending on how much time I get I will see how far I can get, or if I need to go out and buy more books.

My niece so rocks! She received a notice that a gift certificate that she had sent to a certain ingrate who shall remain nameless never got used. The gift certificate was for one of this 'mo's favorite nurseries and they in their letter suggested that the niece either use the certificate or pass it along to someone who would use it.

Ever thoughtful, she passed the info along to her Uncle Ganome. This is what I got, honey! Thanks again.

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Monkey and I have talked it over and we are going to hop on the Chinatown bus and head off to the big city for GB:NYC4. Well, actually we are going down for the day on Saturday to attend the picnic (weather permitting) at Sheep Meadow in Central Park.

The weekend long event is being planned by this guy. Aside from being a real looker, he is a very nice guy. I've never met Mark and Brian, but he has written back to me and said, come on down, and in general has been very welcoming.

So, we are getting ready to pack our picnic hampers, I am going to get a bucket of zinc oxide and a brush for Monkey. (he makes Betsy Saxe-Coburg look like she's from the 3rd world) I on the other hand, as it has been pointed out, tan if I stand in front of the refrigerator with the door open. We are hoping to bring along La Simpatica. (she who was formerly referred to as the office babe, but that moniker just doesn't do her justice) La Simpatica is not a blogger, but she's a girl who has a good time wherever she goes and I have every confidence she will be a welcome addition, though I'm not sure about the 3 inch heels in the grass.

While in the city I am planning on seeing this character, and I am also hoping to meet my hero, who assures me I'll really like these guys. It's a little overwhelming, as a Bostonian I feel pretty provincial. However, I'm pretty sure if I don't have a good time, it will be my own fault.

And Lynette, honey, don't you worry your pretty head, I'll take lots of pictures, though I think you should come on up. I've got a feeling you'd be a hit at the Eagle.

Now I have to start putting my outfit together, striped shirt and checked shorts or checked shirt and striped shorts. Decisions, decisions. At least I know I can never go wrong with black socks and sandals.

This is what Monkey and I look like first thing in the morning, before the juggernaut of the department has crushed our souls beneath its iron wheels. (You can't see it, but their are puppies and unicorns and rainbows and tweeting bluebirds)

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

I was foolish enough to gloat that I had never been tagged with a meme. Thanks a lot Tom!

Here goes.

PART 1: ON THE OUTSIDEMe: Short, not small, I hate that!Date of birth: The first half of the Eisenhower administration.Current status: Alive more or less, oh you mean.... singleEye color: BrownHair color: What hair?Right or left handed: SinistralZodiac: AquariusPART 2: ON THE INSIDEMy heritage: French Canadian/ScotMy fear: That someone it going to read this.My weakness: Bald men or dark chocolate. Whichever turns up first.My perfect pizza: Huh?PART 3: YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROWYour first thought waking up: Crap!Tomorrow: Work,work,workYour bedtime: EarlyMost missed memory: Uh, I forget.PART 4: YOUR PICKPepsi or Coke: I'd rather gargle with battery acid.McD or Burger King: Can I have some ground glass with that battery acid?Single or group dates: What's a date?Adidas or Nike: Whatever is cheapest at Marshall'sLipton Tea or Nestea: LiptonChocolate or vanilla: Are you really that limited?Cappuccino or coffee: They are both coffee shitwit! Gimme and Italian roast.PART 5: DO YOU...?Smoke: I depends on who you ask.Curse: What kind of fucking question is that?PART 6: IN THE PAST MONTH, HAVE YOU...?Drunk alcohol: Yes I usually get drunk on alcohol.Gone to the mall: I've gone to the dogs.Been on stage: Stage of what?Eaten sushi: At every opportunity.PART 7: WHAT WERE YOU DOING...?1 minute ago: Working on this stupid meme. Next stupid question, Geeeeez.1 hour ago: Leading a blameless, meme free, life.4 1/2 hours ago: Basking in my ignorance of memes.1 month ago: You actually expect me to remember that far back.1 year ago: See above.PART 8: FINISH THE SENTENCEI love: Fattening foodI feel: SillyI hate: GWB, he is the source of all evil.I hide: Under the bed. I miss: The pointI need: A drink

Yesterday I checked the weather before I left the house and was assured it was going to be sunny and in the 80's. Not so much, until well into the afternoon. So, this morning when they were predicting a fairly dramatic drop in temperature and rain, I was all, "Oh, sure." I headed out of the house in a short sleeved shirt and it was plenty warm, even at 5:30 and the sky was less than threatening. By mid afternoon, black clouds had rolled in and a thunder squall, complete with some rather showy lightening and torrential downpours put in an appearance and the temperature dropped like a rock. Then as quickly as it started the rains stopped. Being one for dire predictions, I assumed that the weather gods would wait until I was half way across the Mass. Ave. bridge and the heavens would open again. To my surprise, the weather held until I had made it safely to my door.

If the prognosticators are to be believed, it will continue rainy and chilly over the next couple of days.

I imagine you are waiting to hear me start complaining bitterly about the weather. Sorry kids, I just can't do it. While the rain is going to impinge on my short term enjoyment of the great outdoors, a) we need the rain, it's been a very dry winter in old New England, and b) more importantly my garden could use a good drenching.

By the time late summer, early autumn rolls around I will be about gardened out. I will have become tired of dealing with weeds, vandals, insects of the bloodthirsty variety as well as those insects that will be trying to use my horticultural experiments as a buffet, and just the obligation of it all.

But it is spring. Plants that were mere shoots struggling out of the ground a few weeks ago are racing skyward. Tiny dry seeds I planted less than 2 weeks ago are already shoots. I am in the first joy of discovering new volunteers (what we call plants that arrive in our plots courtesy of avian alimentary tract.) and which annuals have graciously reseeded themselves.

Among the things that seem to be coming up in abundance right now are lupine, shirley poppies, california poppies and portulaca.

There is also the bane of my existence, bindweed as well as wild garlic which I will once again vainly engage in combat against.

All of my spring bulbs have already bloomed and faded, In their place perennial geraniums and bachelor buttons are getting ready to put on their modest show, my climbing roses that I like to think of as natures barbed wire, which will help thwart entry into my garden by the nocturnal cruisers in the park from trampling my flower beds are budding with clematis twining its way through the canes.

Spring is really here. Rainy or sunny, all working in concert to promote this fecund, even randy season. Renewing, promising, bringing hope.

The hot days of summer are ahead, bringing its own mood and agenda. Picnics, lazy days when it is good to just sit in the sun and be alive. But for now it is a busy time. Weeding, editing, visiting, renewing seasonal friendships, enjoying the seemingly unlimited possibilities that the time of year brings with it.

It has been a rather tough 3 weeks here in Ganome land. I have been a little stretched and patience is rather thin on the ground, but days like today give me hope. It may just be the time of year and the mood of renewal, watching as nature reasserts the reproductive prerogative. Whatever is keeping me buoyed up, I am willing to take it. Because it's spring and I have hope.